Although this study came out a year ago, I'm constantly being asked about it and what it might mean for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity who also can't tolerate corn. So I think it's worth repeating the details of what it showed (and didn't show):
There's no question that many people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity also have issues with corn.
Some of the problem likely involves gluten cross-contamination in the corn (like all other grains, corn can be quite gluten-contaminated unless the growers and processors take specific steps to protect their crop from accidental contact with gluten).
However, a 2012 research study indicates that the immune systems of people with celiac disease may in fact react to corn in a way that's similar to how they react to gluten.
The study, published in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, looked at the amino acid sequences in corn and compared them to the sequences found in gluten molecule. The researchers found some similarities between the amino acid sequences in the two different grains.
Next, they performed a computer analysis to see if the corn amino acid sequences might bind to the IgA antibodies produced by the body when gluten is ingested. They found evidence that this might happen in people who carry either of the two "celiac disease genes," HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8.
This finding "may be of paramount clinical relevance," the authors concluded. "The use of maize [corn] in the formulation and preparation of gluten-free foods must be re-evaluated in some cases of celiac disease."
So does this mean that people with celiac disease should avoid corn as well as gluten grains? That's not clear -- the study itself is extremely preliminary and hasn't yet been duplicated by other researchers. But it definitely shows that it's at least possible (as many people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity have reported) to have a glutening-type reaction to corn.
However, if you already know you react to corn as well as to wheat, barley and rye, this study certainly gives you another reason to avoid it.
Keep up with the latest in the celiac disease/gluten sensitivity world -- sign up for my newsletter, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter - @AboutCeliac.
Photo © Getty Images/Thomas Barwick
OMG! This makes so much sense to me! I have celiac disease and I’ve been strictly gluten free for two and a half years, but I still notice that I have problems if I eat too much progressed foods. I can’t tolerate any gluten free cereals – boy do I miss them!
I’ve been thinking that maybe I’m just super senstive, but the one ingredient that all of these processed foods have in them is corn!!! So, lately I’ve been wondering if I have a corn allergy. But now you’ve cleared this up even more for me -it just makes so much sense. Thank-you so much Jane for posting this! Just hearing about this makes me feel like I’m not going crazy after all. 
I have Celiac. And I have been allergic to corn all of my life. There are so many other people who are allergic to corn, and I know of a lot of Celiacs who can’t eat it without getting sick. It is not possible to avoid corn, because it is being dumped into almost all of the food supply, and a lot of non-food products. Worse yet, corn is not properly labeled to warn us, so we can avoid it. When used as processing and packaging aids, it is not labeled at all. So Celiacs will not be able to avoid corn, if it causes them to have symptoms. Corn allergens are being ignored, so there is no hope for proper labels on foods that contain it. Please keep us posted, if you get more info about corn gluten and Celiac.
I have had Celiac Disease for 41 years and I have never had a problem with corn. Guess I am one of the lucky ones! I haven’t had a problem with rice or soy either, except for wild rice! I learned years ago to avoid wild rice, because every time I ate it, I had issues. I love “sticky” rice and I don’t have any issues with it either. When diagnosed with Celiac 41 years ago there was NO information except what I was given at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, a three page list of foods to avoid! Jane, it is really nice to have all the information you send out now, and I know it will make it much easier for those who have been recently diagnosed to adapt!! Thanks for all your hard work to inform our Celiac Community!!
I have Celiac , came to know about it six month ago , though going gluten free i improved but never to a point where i could say i am on right track .
Reading this i have left corn and last three days feel better , my brain fog is gone .
Thank You to about.com .
It is a great help.
I will update how i feel after 30 days .
Thank You
if you are sensitive to corn has this affected your TtG levels?
I have a client who is really strict about what he eats yet his ttg numbers are elevated.
For anyone wanting to know where all the corn is hidden in their food, supplements and medications check out this link to the Corn Alllergens List which is very comprehensive.
http://www.cornallergens.com/list/corn-allergen-list.php
Thank you for the information. I have Celiac Disease and also an allergy to corn. The allergist told me that I could not eat fresh corn but cooked or processed corn was fine. I have a strong feeling that the allergist was wrong.
This past week, I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy because I continue to have a problem with diarrhea even though I have followed a strict gluten-free diet for the past two years. After the procedures, my doctor told me that everything looked healthy however she took 10 biopsies just to make sure. To me, the good result says that I am eating something that is causing my problem.
For the most part, I eat whole foods only. However, because of the advise given to me by the allergist I have consumed gluten-free food that contains cornstarch. From now on, I will completely eliminate corn from my diet. I should know within days if it is my problem.
I was diagnosed as celiac 4 years ago. Even with a careful gluten free diet, I still had watery stools every day. I stopped eating corn 10 days ago and have had no problems since. I am estatic about this discovery and hope other celiacs try the “corn” cure.
Does anyone else notice that the increase in the rate of celiac disease/ gluten sensitivity (be it to wheat and/or corn) seems to coincide with the propagation of genetically modified grain/seed? Increasingly, genetically modified seed – some containing the DNA of animals and fish, are overtaking non-GMO crops. The largest producer of GM seed in the world is Monsanto. Did you know that Monsanto engineered seed with a built-in herbicide known commercially as Round-up? It was never tested on humans before being approved for use by the FDA. None of these seed are.
European countries have banned the use of Monsanto seed. Cases of non-GMO or organic farmers’ crops becoming contaminated by neighboring fields of Monsanto grains abound the US, Canada, India and other countries. Once cross-pollination occurs, an organic crop is contaminated, as is the soil its grown in. And folks, these compounds do not degrade or decompose – they are genetic.
The time has come to tell politicians that we are not test subjects. Currently, North Americans do not know they may be consuming GMO grains in the processed foods they buy. Powerful companies like Monsanto strong-arm farmers, silence their critics with threats of legal action, send powerful lobbyists to Washington, and make large donations to political campaigns.
We have the right to decide what we put into our bodies people! Let your politicians know that you want labeling of genetically modified food ingredients.
Thank you . Im gluten sensitivity and have been gluten free for 1 year and still have problems I was told that was because the IBS but now I know is the corn for sure. Thank you
Thanks for the information confirming what I had found by hit and miss. Even xanthan gum, which is derived from corn, can set off my symptoms, so I have to avoid even the good processed foods without cornstarch. I don’t think most of us are aware of xanthan gum’s source, so maybe someone still having a problem may be helped.
Xanthan gum is brutal on the gut for me… people please get a list of items that are made from corn…. all cheap soda has corn syrup, ketchup , white vinegar etc. we now know why Gluten free products are so expensive, they do not use corn for the most part except cereals maybe!